This atmospheric action game is good fun, but could've used more polish with its gameplay.
When the Bureau begins, you'll notice a few elements similar to Mass Effect, such as when you're having conversations – do you be a jerk, or a nice guy? – or guiding your teammates to victory. The action itself works really well, with responsive shooting and movement controls. However, when it comes to giving commands to your teammates via an item wheel – which slows the game down while you make decisions – things can be problematic.
First off, your teammates are completely useless without your input. You'll constantly hear someone yell "I don't know what to do" even though they're an officially licensed government agent. Really. Secondly, even when you do give them an assignment, their movement can be quirky, leaving them as easy pickings for the alien armada. You'll basically have to clean house and keep them in one piece – a job easier said than done considering what your enemies are packing.
Fortunately, as the game moves on, you'll get access to new powers that even the playing field, including mind control, lifting abilities and drone deployment. Once these are introduced, the game picks up tremendously. These go hand in hand with your shooting skills, making you a nearly unstoppable force – and one dressed in classy detective duds, at that.
